Chapter 1

 

Opening 1

Ever thought about wanting to be the protagonist of a gal game?

I haven’t.

That’s because a gal game protagonist has to do things like take down organizations targeting the heroine, break curses placed on her, resolve her trauma, or overcome obstacles just to be with her.

And even after risking their entire life to conquer those hardships, the only reward at the end is being with the heroine.

Lame. So lame it’s practically no different from doing it for free.

A gal game protagonist is basically a slave to love. Who in their right mind would want to be that?

So, that’s why I have no interest in becoming one.

“I’m a gal game protagonist…”

Suddenly regaining memories of my mundane high school life, I realized, to my shock, that I’m apparently a gal game protagonist… No way, that’s absurd.

I take another look at my reflection in the full-length mirror.

Pale skin, a small face, a refined nose, thin lips, and cool eyes framed by long eyelashes.

All the parts are cool, but paired with soft, almost childish black hair, there’s a lingering innocence to my features.

My build is slender overall, with the line of my shoulders peeking out between my collar and the glimpse of my collarbone through an unbuttoned shirt, exuding a charm that would make older women who love pretty boys swoon.

Observing this appearance, which doesn’t at all suggest a childhood raised in a prison, I’m certain.

In the game The Quartet of the Lady and the Butler-in-Training, where a refined heroine and a butler-in-training protagonist fall in love at an academy that trains future leaders, the figure in the mirror is none other than the protagonist, Minato Riku.

Just seconds ago, I was hyped about my first summer break as a high schooler starting tomorrow, thinking, “I’ll just laze around!” Or maybe, “Runn runn♪ I’ve come to peaceful Japan, ready to live the calm student life I saw in manga and anime. Yay, yay!”—all giddy inside.

From heaven to hell. I collapse to my knees, sobbing quietly.

“Ugh, why did this happen…”

Through my tear-blurred vision, I spot a digital clock at the edge of my sight.

The date is April 8th. Today’s the academy’s entrance ceremony. It’s like starting a new game.

Then… maybe it’s okay?

Since I haven’t met any of the heroines yet, I’m not really the protagonist. If I avoid getting involved with them, I can live a peaceful life without becoming a slave to love.

Glancing at the clock again, I see it’s almost time to head to school.

The first day of school, the start of a rose-colored academy life.

I quickly get ready, tying my shoelaces tightly, determined to live a peaceful student life without getting tangled up with the heroines.

Opening 2

Leaving the academy dorm halfway up the mountain, I walk down a winding path that looks like it’d be a hit with street racers. Wondering how far the school is, I look up and catch sight of a luxurious school building peeking through the trees.

The high school I’ll be attending from today is called Sakuramiya Academy, a place dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders.

This academy is unique, with one Aristocrat Class for nobles and conglomerate heirs and three Servant Classes for commoners, one for each grade.

There are two reasons for this class division.

First, Aristocrat Class students tackle academy-assigned tasks using Servant Class students to learn how to manage people as future leaders. Second, it’s so Aristocrat Class students can find maids or butlers to serve them for life.

It might sound like the Servant Class gets the short end of the stick, but that’s not true. Being around elite heirs means their influential parents treat you well, so job prospects are secure. The curriculum is robust, making it easier to get into your dream university. Plus, if you’re chosen as a butler or maid, it’s practically like marrying into wealth—there’s plenty of appeal in enrolling.

That’s why, despite admissions being mostly by scout recommendation, the entrance exam competition rate supposedly exceeds ten to one.

What a cliched gal game setup. No way a school like this actually exists.

Or so I think, but it does, so there’s no helping it. As for me, I was born and raised in an overseas prison behind bars, transferring to this Japanese school to escape that blood-soaked life—a ridiculous backstory. Even if this is a game world, it’s my reality now, so I have no choice but to accept it.

I feel a strange disconnect with my own reaction.

I’m surprisingly calm about this, aren’t I?

Normally, wouldn’t someone be more freaked out by this environment? It’s like a reincarnation story. I should be panicking, like, “What is this world!?” or “How do I get back to my old reality!?” But I don’t feel any of that. I have memories of living in this world, and continuing to live here feels natural, with no resistance or doubt.

Am I really a gal game protagonist?

Still, I have the perspective that this is a ridiculous world, and the ego of the me who played the game hasn’t vanished.

I ponder which it is for a few seconds.

It’s both, and it’s neither.

The gal game protagonist me gained the memories of the player me, and they fused into a new personality. That’s all there is to it. So it’s both, and neither.

Thinking about this, I round a curve in the mountain path, and the school gate comes into view.

If I recall correctly, this is where…

A limousine speeds by, and my memories of the original game become vivid.

Right. In the game, this is where the heroine, Yukishiro Himeno, steps out of the limousine, and I end up crossing her path.

And then…

“Hey, you, commoner.”

“Hm? Me?”

“Yes, you. You just crossed my path, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, what about it?”

“What about it!? Don’t you think that’s rude!?”

“Rude? Is it? Tell me what I did wrong.”

“You blocked my way!”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“ —!? You’re mocking me! I’ll never forget this humiliation!”

That’s the encounter event, so I decide to stop in my tracks.

Yukishiro Himeno, the quintessential tsundere Ojou-sama heroine. I have no intention of triggering her flag. Waiting quietly for her to pass through the gate is the smart move.

Thinking that, I stand by, and sure enough, the limousine stops, and a girl in a uniform steps out.

Her bold eyes intimidate anyone who meets them, and her glossy, flowing black hair is so beautiful it’s practically made for the word “lustrous.” She exudes a cool, dignified aura, as if sparkling particles are visible around her. In modern times, cleanliness is prized in men, but it should be valued in girls too. If someone asked, “Who’s a clean girl?” I’d name her first for her pristine elegance.

Her skin is smooth and pale, her slender limbs graceful. Even if she demanded treasures like the jeweled branch of Hourai, the fire-rat’s robe, the Buddha’s stone bowl, the dragon’s neck jewel, or the swallow’s cowrie shell, it’d be forgivable. A beauty so stunning that treasure hunters would never stop chasing her, thinking they could marry her with such riches.

That appearance. The cool beauty stepping out of the car is unmistakably Yukishiro Himeno.

Phew, I noticed just in time. I almost triggered the event. Hurry up and get to school already.

As I think this while watching, Yukishiro starts looking around… and our eyes meet.

“Riku!!”

Yukishiro runs toward me and suddenly hugs me.

The soft sensation of a girl and her sweet scent make my head spin. But this isn’t the time for that.

What’s going on here?

“Uh, um?”

“Chuuki!”

[T/N: “Chuuki!” = “Suki” (Love you)]

“Hah?”

“Chuuki chuuki!”

I grab Yukishiro’s shoulders, as she buries her face in my chest and rubs against me, and pull her away.

“H-Hey, what are you doing?”

“Chuuki?”

Yukishiro tilts her head cutely. Her cool features morph into a clingy, affectionate expression, overlapping with how she looks after being romanced in the original game.

What’s this? I’ve never even met Yukishiro before, and she’s rubbing her face on my chest.

Is Yukishiro some weirdo who rubs her head on a stranger’s chest? No, I don’t know of any such setting, and it’s not remotely realistic. Besides, she called me “Riku” and ran to me. Yes, she knew I was Minato Riku and came straight for me, even though we’ve never met.

Could it be… does she have memories like I do?

Considering how her clingy expression closely resembles Yukishiro Himeno’s post-romance route, maybe she has memories of a future where she ended up with the protagonist?

“Heyy, Yukishiro…”

“Chuki!!”

Her “chuki” carries an irritated undertone, as if demanding I call her Himeno, so I reluctantly correct myself.

“…Himeno.”

“Chuuki chuuki.”

Himeno nods enthusiastically, as if saying, “That’s better.”

“Do you, maybe, have memories?”

Asking the crazy girl trying to communicate solely with “chuuki,” I hear,

“Chuuki (Yup! I remembered today! I’m so thrilled to start academy life with Riku from scratch again. When I saw you, I couldn’t help but hug you! I couldn’t hold back after seeing my beloved! Ehehe, let’s get along from now on!)”

That’s what it sounded like, so,

“I can’t understand what you’re saying with just ‘chuuki.’ Oh, right, I have something to do!”

Pretending not to understand, I escape into the school building.

The classroom buzzes with the lively chatter typical of new students.

While awkward attempts to bond unfold around me, I sit at my desk, lost in thought, not caring if I’m seen as some aloof, cringey loner.

Yukishiro Himeno had memories from after her route was completed. Judging by her excitement, she didn’t just play it—she lived it as reality.

Himeno probably loves me, but I don’t feel the same way.

No matter how much I squealed over her on the other side of the screen, feeling the same level of romantic attachment in reality is a no-go.

I only experienced a simulated romance in the game. To me, simulated romance and real romance are completely different. I didn’t actually fall in love, so there’s no way I could match the feelings of Himeno, who did.

So, I can’t return her feelings.

Besides, responding to Himeno’s feelings would advance her route.

In Himeno’s route, all sorts of challenges await, including a plot where I get targeted in a succession dispute within the Yukishiro family. There, I take a bullet shielding Himeno from an assassin.

With my knowledge, I might avoid that scenario, but avoiding it could lead to being targeted in a different way and meeting my end.

So why would I willingly enter Himeno’s life-threatening route? To live a peaceful academy life, I don’t want to get involved with her.

It’s pretty irresponsible to romance heroines and then say this, but… wait, heroines?

What about the other heroines’ memories? I glance at the seat next to mine.

It’s still empty. Another heroine is supposed to sit here. A silver-haired, blue-eyed gyaru from overseas with an over-the-top mix of traits.

The first encounter event, if I recall, goes like…

“We’re seatmates, nice to meet ya.”

“Huh? Don’t talk to me, creep.”

“Pretty cold, huh?”

“Duh. Everyone here’s a rival fighting for butler or maid spots. No way I’m getting chummy.”

“You talk a lot, don’t you?”

“—!? Shut up! Idiot!”

Something like that, I think.

Soon after, the chair next to me is pulled back, and a girl takes her seat.

Shimmering silver hair, clear marine-blue eyes, and translucent, pale skin. Her blessed features, like a fairy by a frozen forest lake, are adorned with gyaru-style makeup. The phrase “gyaru makeup makes anyone cute” raises the question: what happens when a beauty wears it? She’s the answer. She’s like a demon wielding a golden club—perfection amplified.

Her model-like figure is flawless, oozing the charisma of a fashion magazine star. Her charm is almost overpowering.

Her name is Kira Yui. Like Himeno, she’s a heroine in the game.

Does she have memories too? I nervously observe her.

Oh?

I watch for a while, but nothing seems off.

Could it be… could it be… no memories!?

The moment I want to do a little happy dance, Yui’s cheeks flush.

“Ugh, don’t stare so much. I’ll get all mushy…”

“Huh…?”

“If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll wanna spoil you. I was thinking, since we’re back to the morning of the entrance ceremony, I’d reset our relationship and stop being the one always pampering you, but…”

Kira Yui. Once you enter her route and win her heart, she transforms from a prickly gyaru to a devoted lover who dotes on you.

So, Yui has memories too… No, there’s still a slim chance.

Clinging to that faint hope, I ask Yui,

“Do you, maybe, have memories?”

“Yup! You have them too, right, Riku?”

“Well…”

“I’m so happy. This time, I can dote on you as your lover from the start.”

“Didn’t you just say you were gonna stop pampering me?”

“Y-Yeah, exactly! I’m done spoiling you, Riku! I wanna be spoiled too! Oh, by the way, Riku, did you bring lunch?”

“Nah, I didn’t.”

“I made a bento for you. Wanna eat together?”

Yui’s pushiness leaves me clueless about how to avoid her. But one thing’s clear—she won’t be able to stop pampering me.

A teacher in a suit stands at the podium, speaking with a stern air.

“Congratulations on your enrollment, everyone.”

Squeeze squeeze.

“I hate to dampen your excitement, but now that you’re enrolled in this academy, I need you to stay sharp.”

Squeeze squeeze.

“This academy is different from the norm. You Servant Class students are to be the hands and feet of the Aristocrat Class. Your shame becomes the shame of your masters, so act with dignity and restraint.”

Squeeze squeeze.

…Yui, who’s been holding my left hand the whole time, keeps squeezing my fingers like she’s playing with a paw.

When I look at her, troubled, Yui blushes and grins with a “hehe.”

That “hehe” isn’t helping. If we were lovers, I’d be like, “You little—!” but we’re strangers now. There’s no cuteness—just the terror of having my hand squeezed by someone I don’t know.

I don’t know what to do, so I let it slide, but she shows no sign of letting go.

What do I do, seriously?

“Ahem, and so…”

Oh, the teacher’s looking this way.

“…Stay sharp and live your academy life accordingly.”

Oi, teacher, you just looked away.

Well, fair enough. If some weirdo’s squeezing hands during a serious talk, you’d pretend not to see it.

“Now, we’ll head to the gymnasium for the entrance ceremony. Everyone, follow me.”

As my classmates start moving with the teacher, Yui stands up too.

“Shall we go?”

Yui tilts her head cutely. Her silver hair sways, sparkling, and the depth of her blue eyes is mesmerizing.

I could fall for her, but the fear of being suddenly hand-held in lover-mode wins out, so I don’t.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, nothing… Wait, it’s not nothing.”

“Hm? Something weird?”

Yeah, there is! Holding hands to enter the entrance ceremony? Are we sixth graders and first graders? Just let go already.

Of course, I can’t say that, so,

“Look, it’s embarrassing if people see us holding hands.”

I say that instead.

“What’re you talking about, Riku? You’re the one who dragged my embarrassed self around at the culture festival, saying, ‘I’ll show everyone Yui’s my girlfriend!’ You were so cool back then.”

Oh, right… In Yui’s route, I did that during the culture festival.

What were you doing, future me…?

Wait, people seeing us?

What if Himeno saw me holding hands with Yui?

I shudder.

“Yui, it’s, uh, too early to hold hands.”

“Too early?”

“Yeah, like, um, I wanna enjoy being more than friends but less than lovers, you know?”

“More than friends, less than lovers… That’s nice. Back then, I liked you but couldn’t be honest. But you felt the same way… I’m so happy.”

“Yeah, exactly.”

That’s a lie.

In the story, Minato Riku is moved by Yui’s confession, unable to hold back his feelings, and falls for her. But since she let go of my hand, I decide not to say anything risky.

I half-listen to Yui’s small talk as we walk to the gymnasium.

The gymnasium, big enough for two basketball courts and a stage, is lined with rows of folding chairs. For such a ridiculous setting, it feels like a normal entrance ceremony. Probably for CG convenience.

“Riku, I don’t wanna be apart~”

“It’s fine, we’ll see each other soon.”

After reluctantly parting with Yui, who’s acting like a lover leaving for the big city, I promise we’ll meet right after the ceremony and sit in my assigned seat based on attendance number.

The entrance ceremony starts shortly after I sit, but I can’t focus on the speeches, my mind consumed by the situation.

Himeno and Yui both think I’m their lover and are getting close to me…

I don’t want to get involved, but avoiding them seems impossible now.

No choice. Should I just be honest and say, “I can’t get involved with you”?

In this game, nothing happens to heroines whose relationships don’t progress. Right! If I don’t enter any routes, no one has to suffer, right?

Alright, let’s try saying it. Time for a simulation.

“I romanced you all, but I don’t want to get involved.”

“Huh? Wanna die?”

…Nope. I can already see myself minced with a mosaic, surrounded by carp with their mouths flapping.

My bad imagination doesn’t stop there, picturing a scenario where the two who think I’m their lover run into each other.

If they confront me, asking, “What’s your relationship?” and I admit, “You’re both my lovers,” what happens to me?

Yukishiro Himeno. The future head of the Yukishiro family, with massive influence in Japan’s financial and political spheres.

Kira Yui. Raised in a normal family and in the Servant Class, but actually a princess of Lecistencia, a country exclusive to this game.

Both wield immense power. If they thought I was cheating, I could be erased without a trace.

And this game has three heroines. If two-timing already spells doom, what about three-timing? Yeah, it’s too terrifying to think about.

Let’s just… not think about it for now. My mental health can’t take it.

I adjust my posture in the chair and look up, just as the freshman representative’s speech is happening.

“In these precious three years, we’ll dedicate ourselves to clubs, academics, dreams, youth, love, love, and mostly love!”

Was that the speech…?

I look up at the freshman representative on stage.

Dark blue, almost black hair in a refreshing short cut. Her sparkling aura conjures images of white sandy beaches, blue seas, and a midsummer sun. She’s in the Aristocrat Class but lacks the Ojou-sama vibe, with a face like a pure-hearted top idol. She’d look perfect grinning with a fizzy ramune bottle pressed to her cheek. That’s Kisaragi Wakana, another heroine.

Oh.

My eyes meet Wakana’s.

Even from a distance, I can feel the heavy, passionate, love-filled gaze.

…I look down.

I keep my head down for the rest of the ceremony, and when it’s over, I stand up, shoulders slumped.

“Riku, let’s head back?”

“…Yeah.”

Yui, who came straight to me after the ceremony, starts walking with me. Even here, I can’t avoid her closeness, and I’m at a loss for what to do.

“Wakana looked lively, huh?”

That “lively” comment comes from knowing she’s back from the future. The casual first-name basis also suggests a closeness from tackling tasks together in the common route and becoming friends in that future.

“Yeah. Well, ‘lively’ sounds a bit weird.”

“Haha, true. By the way, Riku?”

I turn to Yui as she asks.

What I see is a cold smile and eyes filled with pitch-black darkness.

“That vixen was giving you flirty looks. What was that about?”

“…Just your imagination, maybe?”

I turn my face away from Yui.

Opening 3

The first day of school is only a half-day.

Those who made friends head to the cafeteria to bond, while those who didn’t return to the dorms to cry into their pillows.

As for me, Yui’s got me by the arm, dragging me to the rooftop to eat her bento.

“Lunch is gonna be fun, right?”

“Sure is…”

“I made your favorite sweet-salty tamagoyaki, Riku. Hehe, it’s nostalgic. I remember clumsily asking, ‘W-What’s your favorite food?’ when I was making your bento.”

“Haha… yeah, that’s right~”

Feeling cold sweat trickle down my temple, I force a smile.

The sweet-salty tamagoyaki is Minato Riku’s favorite, something he was thrilled to eat after coming to Japan. I like it too, but I’m not the least bit excited.

And that’s only natural. On top of not wanting to get involved, there’s this awkwardness. To Yui, it’s probably a lovely memory, but for me, it’s just a cold recollection of thinking, Ugh, she’s gonna make me a bento anyway from behind the screen. …Yeah, the guilt is eating at me.

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

Apparently, it showed on my face, as Yui bends down slightly to peer into my eyes.

“N-No, it’s nothing. Let’s head to the rooftop.”

I climb the stairs and open the door to the rooftop.

“Whoa.”

A vast blue sky fills my entire field of vision.

Stepping out, a slightly cool breeze caresses my skin, giving me a refreshing feeling. The soft spring sunlight is warm enough to make me drowsy, and just standing here feels amazing.

Cherry blossom petals dance past my eyes, twirling in the air. Chasing them, I walk to the edge and look down, captivated by the cherry trees blooming all across the sprawling academy grounds.

My mouth, which had opened without me realizing, won’t close, so I cover it with my hand. No, maybe I hesitated to voice a cheap sentiment like “it’s beautiful.”

Lifting my gaze slightly, I see a crowded cityscape in the distance. This academy is on a mountain, and the rooftop is the highest point around. Why does even an ordinary view look like a breathtaking panorama from up high? I let out a sigh of awe at the scenery that deepens such mysteries.

I saw this view through a screen as a player, but seeing it in person feels so different.

“What’s up, Riku?”

“Just thinking how beautiful the view is.”

“We’ve been to the rooftop tons of times, and you’re still like this? You’re so cute, Riku.”

Yui lets out a bell-like laugh. Her smile stands out so vividly against the rooftop scenery. It’s like a scene cut from a painting—a cliché expression fits perfectly. It’s as if it’s a moment from a youth anime movie crafted solely to captivate, the kind that would leave someone who’s never had a proper youth feeling depressed for days with its overwhelming charm.

My heart races. It pounds loudly.

That’s right. If you think about it, a game world heroine is standing here in reality. It’s unrealistic not to be captivated by someone as charming as her.

“Come on, let’s eat.”

Beckoned by Yui, who’s sitting on a rooftop bench, I cautiously sit next to her. The sweet scent of cherry blossoms tickles my nose, making me restless, and my heartbeat quickens even more.

“It was the entrance ceremony today, but weren’t you nervous, Riku?”

“Nah, not really.”

“Ugh, I was nervous, that’s not fair~”

Such casual conversation drifts away with the breeze.

Words leave my mouth. Words reach my ears. That alone creates a fresh, bittersweet atmosphere, like biting into an apple.

The open rooftop must be doing this to me. I’m in high spirits. So when Yui leans her shoulder against mine, I lean back into hers.

The delicate, soft body of a girl touches me. Her warmth is comforting, and I feel like I might melt away. Then Yui holds out a piece of tamagoyaki with her chopsticks.

“Say ‘ahh.’”

I open my mouth to accept it. The tamagoyaki, supposed to be sweet-salty, tastes purely sweet.

When Yui giggles “ehehe,” it feels like the warmth of her shoulder increases. The air around us thickens, sweet like rolling caramel.

…That’s right. She’s a living, breathing person. A real, charming beauty. I was scared, but living a sweet life like this might not be so bad.

Just as I think that, the rooftop door opens.

“…What’s going on here, Riku-kun?”

The girl who steps out is a beauty who’d normally look perfect holding sunflowers. But right now, it’s Wakana with a frozen smile.

“And Yui. What’re you doing?”

The shoulder touching mine feels like it’s freezing, and I hurriedly pull away.

“Huh? What’re you doing, Wakana?”

Hearing Yui’s low, menacing voice, I think to myself.

Nope, I was wrong. This is not good at all. I don’t want to get involved. What do I do with this situation?

“Riku?”

“Riku-kun?”

I take back what I said. The early April rooftop is cold. Staying out here will give me a cold, so I have to leave. It’s definitely not because I’m scared, but I have to go.

“It’s getting chilly, so I’m heading back. See ya.”

I stand from the bench, but my arm is grabbed, stopping me.

“Riku, where do you think you’re escaping to?”

Yui’s tone is as cold as before she was romanced.

“I heard Riku-kun was on the rooftop, so I came to check. What’s this, Riku-kun? You have me as your girlfriend, so what’s going on here~?”

Wakana’s cat-like voice blocks my escape.

Kisaragi Wakana. The daughter of the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency, from a family that’s held key government positions for generations.

Wait, am I done for?

“What’s that about ‘having me as your girlfriend’? Riku’s lover is me, you know?”

“Hm? What’s that? Has Yui lost her mind?”

“Huh? You’re the one who’s lost it, Wakana.”

Blue veins pop on both their temples.

I try to slip away quietly, but my arm is still firmly gripped, no chance of escape.

“No, no, Yui, you supported my love and left me alone with Riku-kun, right?”

“That never happened. If anything, you noticed my feelings, Wakana, and invited us to hang out as a group of four, then ditched to set up a date for me and Riku.”

After a brief silence, they both speak at once.

““Did you hit your head or something?””

Their perfect sync! They’ll get along great! All good, all good! So, this annoying bug will just buzz off… but I can’t. Wakana stops me with just a glance.

“There seems to be a discrepancy in our memories, but it’s a fact that Riku and I ended up together.”

“Same here, though~ And it was super dramatic.”

“Huh? Dramatic? What’s that? Fine, I’ll hear you out.”

Wakana, with sparkling eyes looking into the distance, starts talking about how it began.

“With my top-notch athleticism and brilliant mind, I always acted like the perfect honor student. I was aware of being the perfect honor student and even thought no one could match me. But during a self-defense class, Riku-kun easily pinned me down, shattering my pride.”

That’s right. The rest went like…

“That freed me from the unconscious pressure of always having to be number one, and I started noticing Riku-kun for making me feel at ease. Also, being pinned down sent thrills through me, and I started noticing him for that too.”

That’s how it was… I remember thinking the writer of this game definitely never experienced love.

“It felt like a big shot getting hooked on baby play, and I got hooked on Riku-kun. I kept approaching him, trying to get him to scold me, and though he was reluctant at first, he eventually stopped resisting.”

“Riku?”

I don’t know… But since that’s a possible future, I can only look away.

“As we grew closer, at the end of the first semester, we aced a paired assignment together, and riding that high, I confessed. Riku-kun said we should go out.”

Momentum’s a hell of a thing, I think to myself, a cold observation.

“We started dating, but obstacles arose. My father said a nobody like him wasn’t suitable for the Kisaragi family and set a condition: if we could top every assignment together, he’d approve our relationship.”

Yui’s eyes start to glaze over. I get it. This manga-like plot is absurd, even for a game.

“We accepted the condition and worked hard, topping every assignment. Then, with only the final exam left, we heard rumors of terrorists targeting the police. Thinking my father might be a target, we used the power of love to take down the terrorist organization.”

Taking down a terrorist organization with the power of love, wow… This game is trash. Taking down a terrorist group as a duo? What even is this? I can’t believe I cleared all three routes of this game.

“Because of that, we failed the final exam, but our achievement in taking down the terrorists got our relationship approved, and we ended up together.”

When Wakana finishes, Yui says with a bored tone,

“Come up with a better lie.”

Yui’s reaction is totally reasonable.

Of course. No one would believe such an outrageous story.

But it’s true. In Wakana’s route, that’s the fate you follow.

…I really, really don’t want to get involved, I desperately wish.

“It’s not a lie~ Too dramatic for you to handle? Sorry, there’s no room for you to butt in, sorry~”

Provoked by Wakana, Yui snaps back,

“Mine’s just as dramatic.”

“Oh? Fine, I’ll hear you out.”

With a look that says she’ll make Wakana eat her words, Yui starts talking.

“At first, I hated Riku. I was serious about becoming a maid, but he was always so carefree and laid-back, and it pissed me off.”

She’s starting from the beginning to compete with Wakana.

“But when tackling assignments, he was always reliable. That pissed me off even more, so I kept trying to outdo him, thinking, ‘This time I’ll shine more than Riku, I’ll beat him’. But one time, I pushed too hard and messed up big on an assignment. I thought it was over. My dream of becoming a maid to never go hungry was done. But at that moment, Riku, who I’d been picking fights with, covered for me. Not just that—he fixed my mistake.”

That’s what made her fall for me. It’s such a cliched development, I remember feeling detached. Also, wanting to be a maid to never go hungry doesn’t feel like a heroine’s motive. Man, how did I even finish this game?

“That’s when I fell for Riku. But there was no way I could be honest about it. I kept up my clumsy approaches, unable to confess, living out my academy life. Then one day, an incident happened.”

Here comes the bizarre twist.

“It turned out I’m actually a princess of Lecistencia.”

“Huh?”

Wakana’s jaw drops. Of course.

“A random DNA test revealed I’m a princess.”

Don’t just randomly take a DNA test. Look, Wakana’s convinced it’s a lie and is totally over it.

“Then I got caught up in a minister’s evil scheme and was taken back to Lecistencia. Since it was unavoidable, I decided to at least confess my feelings to Riku before leaving.”

That’s what made the game protagonist fall for Yui. Her earnest confession shook his heart, but thinking back, there were bigger things to worry about than falling in love.

“So we were separated, and I was a captive princess. I’d been so passionate about never going hungry, but even though my dream came true in the royal palace, I spent my days crying.”

But then, Yui says with sparkling eyes,

“That’s when Riku showed up.”

Yup, I showed up. Should’ve stayed out of it for my own happiness.

“Riku single-handedly stormed the palace and whisked me away. After that, we lived in hiding from pursuers, and I got to dote on Riku all day. It was such a happy life.”

Wasn’t this supposed to be a school game? I remember thinking that.

“One day, when pursuers got close, we realized we couldn’t keep running forever. So Riku negotiated, using my whereabouts as leverage, and convinced my father to grant me freedom. He also exposed the minister’s conspiracy, becoming a national hero.”

“…How long do I have to listen to this?”

“Too dramatic for you, Wakana? Well, after that, we had a wedding with the nation’s blessings, so it’s a shame I can’t tell you more.”

“Hey, Yui.”

“What?”

“I’m fine with you trying to one-up me, but come up with a better lie.”

“Huh? That’s your line, Wakana.”

They glare at each other, then suddenly go stone-faced. After a moment, they turn those faces toward me.

“It’s a lie, right, Riku?”

“Riku-kun, tell me Yui’s lying.”

As they corner me, the rooftop door opens.

“Chuuki!”

Himeno comes trotting over and tackles me with a hug.

“Hey, Riku-kun? What’s going on here?”

“You didn’t do the same thing with Himeno, right?”

“Chuuki? (What’s this situation?)”

Faced with their cold smiles, which look like hannya masks, I tremble with panic and fear.

What do I do in this situation? How do I get through this safely… No, I should just tell the truth.

Listening to their stories, I realized something. No matter how absurd the story, it doesn’t matter to them. It’s a fact that Wakana and the protagonist tackled challenges together, overcame dangers, and ended up together. It’s a fact that Yui was rescued from being a captive princess and ended up with him. Himeno too. They had unbelievable experiences and fell deeply in love with the protagonist. Those facts are unchanging, and their emotions are real.

But I’m different. I only experienced simulated romance in the game, not real love. Hiding that from them, who have genuine romantic feelings, feels like deceiving them, and it weighs on my conscience.

So I’ll tell the truth.

“Yui, Wakana, listen.”

They frown as if they want to say something but nod silently.

“Both Yui’s story and Wakana’s story are true.”

“You’re gonna get kil—”

“Wait!”

To avoid the possibility of being “killed,” I cut Yui off and rush on without giving them a chance to speak.

“It might be hard to believe, but what I’m about to say is true, so hear me out. This is a gal game world, and you’re all heroines. Each of you has memories of a route where you ended up with the protagonist, Minato Riku, so it’s all true.”

All three give me skeptical looks.

“Riku… I get you’re panicking because you got caught cheating, but come up with a better lie.”

“Even if what you’re saying is true, Riku-kun, you’re still messing with all three of us, so it’s still cheating, right?”

“It’s not cheating! I only have memories as a gal game player!”

Question marks appear above their heads.

“Wait, you don’t know what a gal game is?”

“I know that… It’s a game where you romance girls, right?”

“Yeah. My memories are of playing that game.”

When I finish, they’re all stunned. A long silence follows, and Himeno slowly raises her hand.

“So, we’re heroines in a romance game, and your memories, Riku, are as the player. Meaning the Riku I fell in love with and the Riku now are different people?”

She can talk beyond “chuuki,” I think as I nod.

“Exactly. It might be hard to believe, but…”

“No… what you’re saying might be right. Honestly, if this weird situation with future memories is possible, then what you’re saying isn’t that far-fetched. And otherwise, Wakana’s story is just too unrealistic.”

“Yeah. If Riku-kun’s story isn’t true, Yui’s story is way too ridiculous.”

The air is still tense, but they seem to understand.

Then this conversation is over.

Once they realize the protagonist they loved isn’t here, their affection for me should fade, and we’ll naturally drift apart. And if that happens, I can live a peaceful academy life without getting involved with the gal game heroines.

I feel sorry for them, losing their beloved, but since I’m actually different, there’s nothing I can do.

All I can do now is offer some comfort. In fact, having a stranger with the same face nearby might be uncomfortable, so I should leave quickly.

“So, that’s how it is. I’m heading back. Sorry.”

As I start walking, Wakana calls out.

“Wait, Riku-kun.”

“What’s up, Wakana?”

“You only have memories as a player, but the person here right now is Riku-kun himself, right?”

“Yeah. I have memories of living as Minato Riku, no mistake.”

Wakana nods, as if satisfied.

“So, both are still Riku-kun, right?”

“That’s true.”

“Then, Riku-kun, do you know the story of Zhuangzi’s butterfly dream?”

“The butterfly dream? From Chinese poetry, right?”

“Yeah. It’s about waking from a dream of living as a butterfly and wondering if it was really a dream, or if the butterfly is the real self, and now he’s dreaming as a human.”

“Oh, now that you mention it, it’s kind of similar, maybe?”

“So, when you say, ‘I’m a player,’ isn’t it like a human saying, ‘I’m actually a butterfly’? It doesn’t matter if you’re a butterfly or a human, but shouldn’t you act as a butterfly in the butterfly world and as a human in the human world?”

“Uh, well, is that how it works?”

“Yup. And since you’re a gal game player, it was still you who made me fall in love, right, Riku-kun?”

“Well, yeah. I chose the options to make you fall in love, so I guess so.”

This conversation’s heading in a bad direction. But Wakana’s words are correct, and I can’t deny them.

“Then you’re the real person I fell in love with, the Riku-kun I came to love, and the Riku-kun who loves me, right?”

“The ‘came to love’ part is right, but ‘loves’ is…”

“Is… what? You wouldn’t try to make me fall for you if you didn’t love me, right? You wouldn’t say it was just for fun after doing it, right?”

“W-What if I did say that?”

“I’d kill you very politely and thoroughly~”

Wakana’s smiling, but her eyes aren’t. It’s so cold, I’m paralyzed with fear from the core.

“Riku.”

Hearing my name, I look at Yui, who’s wearing a smile that clearly shows she’s pissed.

“W-What’s up, Yui?”

“You love me, right, Riku?”

“M-Maybe I do…”

Giving in to the pressure, I say that, and Himeno’s icy voice cuts in.

“Riku, does that mean you don’t love me?”

“N-No, that’s not it, maybe!”

“Riku-kun, just tell those two it was all a fling.”

“Huh? Can’t you see you and Himeno are the ones who got played?”

“Fighting is so sad. Riku only loves me, after all.”

I can’t say it. I can’t say I played all three of them for fun, because it’s a game.

“Riku, you’ll choose me, right?”

As Himeno presses me, my phone rings. I hurriedly shove my hand in my pocket, grab it, and put it to my ear.

“Sorry! Urgent call, gotta go!”

Taking advantage of their stunned reactions, I bolt from the rooftop.

Opening 4

I stand in front of the chairman’s office on the top floor of the faculty building, at the very end of the hall. The call earlier was from the academy chairman, summoning me to the room.

It’s great I barely escaped with my life. But if this follows the game’s events, thinking about what the chairman will say weighs heavily on me.

I’m so depressed I consider just going back, but that won’t solve anything.

Sighing, I reluctantly knock and open the door.

The room has chic flooring, a chandelier, and a sophisticated vibe. Two black leather sofas face each other in the center, likely for guests. A large desk sits in front of a window with sunshades, giving off a chairman’s dignified aura. It feels like furniture and layout chosen just to show off authority—probably for the game’s sake.

“I’ve been waiting, Minato Riku.”

The blonde beauty in a suit who speaks is the chairman.

I know the purpose of being called here from the game, but I decide to respond casually to keep the conversation flowing.

“What’s the purpose of calling me here?”

“Well, with the school year starting, I wanted to make sure you’re on your toes.”

“On my toes? What do you mean?”

“We brought you here to show off to the higher-ups that this academy has exceptional servant candidates. You understand that, right?”

“Yes. That’s why you brought me all the way from overseas, right?”

“Exactly. If you don’t show promise, we’ll cut you loose anytime.”

“So, you’re telling me to stay sharp.”

“That’s right. Do you remember the deal?”

“If I don’t graduate at the top of the academy, you’ll strip my identity and send me back to the prison I came from. No mercy, right?”

When I ask, she nods without hesitation.

That’s the gist of this game. The protagonist, Minato Riku, must graduate at the top to avoid being sent back to the prison where he was born and raised.

It’s an outrageous story, but it’s my reality now, so I have to accept it.

“That’s the deal. Don’t even think about running away.”

“…Running away?”

“If you try to escape because you can’t hack it, we’ll take your identity and hunt you down no matter what.”

The chairman smirks provocatively.

Escape because I can’t do it? She thinks that little of me? Of me?

“Who, who’s gonna run away? No way I’d do something like that, right?”

“Hm? You’re competitive enough to bite at a taunt like that?”

My hotheadedness cools instantly.

“Haha, just kidding. Got it, I’ll keep it in mind.”

Bowing to hide my face, I leave the chairman’s office.

By the time I leave the school building, it’s twilight. The orange-tinted slope is lined with eerie shadows of trees stretching long. Feeling a sense of loneliness, I trudge toward the dorm, lost in thought.

I need to graduate at the top to gain my freedom, huh?

Graduating at the top was the game’s goal, and it’s probably my goal now. I don’t want to go back to prison life, and I want to live as a person with an identity.

So graduating at the top is a must… Haaah.

Ability-wise, I should be fine. Not to brag, but Minato Riku is a high-spec protagonist with great athleticism and academics.

But whether I can fully utilize those abilities is uncertain.

As the game protagonist, I was the type to stay calm and handle things methodically, solving tough challenges coolly in the game.

But the player me is super competitive and gets heated easily. When I played this game, a friend teased, “What? You’ve never played a gal game? You’re missing out!” and I went out and bought it that day, playing through the night and wrecking my health because I’m that competitive and hotheaded.

With the pure protagonist me mixed with the regular high schooler me, my competitive nature might come out and work against me. That’s a real possibility.

“Haaah. This is heavy.”

And to graduate at the top, I’ll have to live out academy life with the heroines.

I need to do something about the chaotic relationship with those three to have a peaceful daily life. No, more than that, I don’t know what a heroine who was romanced for fun and then dumped might do.

Recalling Wakana’s “I’d kill you very politely and thoroughly~” makes me instinctively hug myself.

Those eyes, that voice—she was absolutely serious.

Thinking about the heavy love of heroines who were dramatically united with me, I could end up stabbed for real out of resentment or anger for not being chosen.

“I need to do something fast…”

Muttering like it’s a spell, I head back to the dorm.